I have a thought about one of the Brainstorming exercises in this workshop. The idea of how many people it takes to make a pen is definitely a reference to the essay, "I, Pencil" by Leonard Read. Probably many of you are already familiar with it. I use the essay as part of my lessons on the "Invisible Hand". I start by holding out a regular "old school pencil", not mechanical! I then ask how many people they think helped to make the pencil. Then they read and have discussion questions to do with a partner after reading the essay. I close by asking volunteers to tell us what they last bought and we brainstorm some of the people who helped produce and why they participated in the production and distribution of that item or service (big mac, jeans, can of soda, etc...)
If any is reading this and you use this essay, what do you do with it? If you've never read it, it widely available online. i did edit it to make a bit more readable but you may have another point of view.
Thanks,
Alicia